The Bodfish Collection

Object number2000.100.202

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionThe Bodfish Collection

Overview:
The Bodfish Collection consists of 111 photographs taken by master whaler Hartson H. Bodfish (ca. 1862-1945) during his time aboard the Beluga as captain and later the Mary D. Hume as first mate. During the long stretches of voyaging in the Arctic, Bodfish took many photographs documenting life aboard these ships and on the icy tundra as well as demonstrating the whale craft and hunting that took place.

Context:
Hartson H. Bodfish was the quintessential, hardworking, Yankee whaler. Throughout his Arctic voyages, he not only hunted and trapped but also documented his and many others' lives through writing and by use of the camera. The result of this collection is an array of photographs displaying varied localities of the Arctic and North American landscapes, everyday Arctic living, the whaling industry, numerous Alaskan natives and other Americans.
In his journal, Bodfish often noted that the work aboard and off the ship was arduous, tiring, and wholly unsuccessful. While exceedingly strong-willed and steadfast, the years away from home took a toll on all Arctic crew members who longed for news from America. As cabin fever took hold, many whalemen, including those from the Mary D. Hume, either tried to or was successful with committing suicide. Especially aboard the Hume, their journey seemed bleak and endless without a whale catch. It wasn't until the late summer of 1891 when luck broke on the bow of the Hume and whales were hunted easily by the dozens. When she reached port on September 30th, 1892, the Mary D. Hume had profited $400,000 (equivalent to four million dollars in 1892) and was deemed the most profitable expedition in all whaling history.
While Bodfish's time aboard the Mary D. Hume is likely to be the most notable, as captain of the Beluga, the captain made many lucrative trips to the Arctic. In one such excursion in 1901, Bodfish bought two Musk Oxen from an Eskimo. Because the natives could slaughter these animals for profit, finding two young calves alive was a rarity. Although one was accidentally killed by dogs on the trip back, the other, called "Oliver Jones", was brought to San Francisco and sold to the Bronx Zoo. Consequently, it was the first Musk Ox ever brought to America.
In all, Hartson H. Bodfish was not only a whaler, but also a pioneer of the Arctic territory, paving the way for countless American ships to rig out for winter in the icy North and the mysterious "Forbidden Sea". His varied and expansive trips led Captain Bodfish to write a book entitled Chasing the Bowhead, 1936, in which he recounts his seafaring endeavors living and hunting in the Arctic, as well as his life before whaling.

Contents of the Collection:

Localities

Alaska
Unalaska/Ounalaska
Vancouver
New Bedford, Massachusetts
San Francisco, California
Bering Sea/ Arctic Ocean
Macinac Straits
Cape Prince of Whales
Cape Smythe
Dutch Harbor
Point Barrow
Glory Hole, Treadwell
Langston Bay, Baillie Island
Sand Point, Unga Island
Hershel Island
Diomede Island
Aleutian Islands
Unimack
Akoutan, Aleutians
Volcano of Akoutan
Volcano of Unimack

Structures

North American Commercial Co.
Russian Greek Church
"Kelly's house" (Cape Smythe)
"Mckenna's house" (Pt. Barrow)
Unidentified houses and log cabins
Native huts
Umiak frames

Vessels

Jeanette Bear Fearless
Jeanie Newport Josephine
Bowhead Beluga
Alexander
Progress
Algonquin
Orion
Morrill

Bearded seal skin boat
Esquimau canoe
China clipper

Hunting

Sperm Whale
Right Whale
Bowhead
Bearded Seal
Walrus
Reindeer
Caribou

On View

Not on view